The study is situated in an ex-coaling mining community in the South Wales’ valleys and explores masculinity and its effects on young men’s attitudes towards employment. Incorporating the use of co-production research and in partnership with a local youth organisation, qualitative methods will be used in the form of ethnography, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The research aims to investigate the historical legacy of industrial work in the area, its ties to masculinity and how this characteristic affects young men’s future employment ambitions and choices. Furthermore, the empirical findings of this research will be used to develop a pilot programme that aims to support and help the young men into employment. The programme will be trialled by the participants of the research and evaluated based on its overall success.